NEW YORK and LONDON, Nov. 20, 2013, In a new, bi-monthly research publication aimed at credit risk professionals and launched today, S&P Capital IQ confirms that risk levels as a whole have dropped off in the last year, although certain industries and regions remain higher risk areas. These and other findings may be found in Credit Market Pulse, a six-page research note designed for credit risk analysts, investment managers and others concerned with credit exposures, seeking deeper understanding of the risks and opportunities underlying their investment or lending decisions, or looking to compare how their portfolios perform against the market. To view a copy of Credit Market Pulse’s inaugural issue, please click here or visit www.spcapitaliq-credit.com/credit-market-pulse-november-2013.

Each issue of Credit Market Pulse offers a broad overview of the health and credit trends within the global capital markets, leveraging the extensive analytical intelligence and depth of S&P Capital IQ. The current issue, for example, also illustrates how several companies and industries with significant risk profiles are topping the charts for highest probability of default (PD) and credit deteriorations.

“Industry and country benchmarks for credit risk are sought after by the entire credit risk community and everybody knows that existing credit indices, that are based on CDS data, do not reflect the whole market sentiment and are often just the tip of the iceberg,” says Marcel Heinrichs, Director, Market Development, S&P Capital IQ. “We hope Credit Market Pulse, which leverages credit risk indicators from 30 times more companies than exist in the liquid CDS market, will become an important new benchmark for credit risk officers, investment managers, the debt capital market community, corporations and others looking to bring additional credit risk metrics and forecasting capabilities into their financial decision making.”

At the core of Credit Market Pulse is S&P Capital IQ’s proprietary probability of default (PD) model, ‘Market Signals’, a unique analytical model which provides daily changing forward looking PDs of publicly listed companies based on a cutting-edge econometric framework. In addition, this model generates more than 37,000 company-specific PDs every day, covering more than 99% of global market capitalization across developed economies, frontier and emerging markets.

The first issue of Credit Market Pulse has three sections, providing different views of credit risk. These include the quarterly evolution of the median PD of companies aggregated in different geographical regions; monthly evolution of the credit risk for constituents of the S&P 500 equity index and its various industry sub-indices and, finally, PD tables of individual companies that merit special attention. Customized searches similar to those presented in the report can be run for interested media using the data in Credit Market Pulse.

S&P Capital IQ, a part of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), is a leading provider of multi-asset class and real time data, research and analytics to institutional investors, investment and commercial banks, investment advisors and wealth managers, corporations and universities around the world. S&P Capital IQ provides a broad suite of capabilities designed to help track performance, generate alpha, and identify new trading and investment ideas, and perform risk analysis and mitigation strategies. Through leading desktop solutions such as the S&P Capital IQ, Global Credit Portal and MarketScope Advisor desktops; enterprise solutions such as S&P Capital IQ Valuations; and research offerings, including Leveraged Commentary & Data, Global Markets Intelligence, and company and funds research, S&P Capital IQ sharpens financial intelligence into the wisdom today’s investors need. For more information visit: www.spcapitaliq.com.

S&P Capital IQ, as well as its affiliates, directors, officers shareholders, employees or agents (S&P Capital IQ) are not responsible for any errors or omissions (negligent or otherwise), regardless of the cause, for any results obtained from the use of the Content described herein, or for the security or maintenance of any data input by the user. The Content is provided on an “as is” basis. S&P Capital IQ and its affiliates DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, FREEDOM FROM BUGS, SOFTWARE ERRORS OR DEFECTS, THAT THE CONTENT’S FUNCTIONING WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR THAT THE CONTENT WILL OPERATE WITH ANY SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE CONFIGURATION. In no event shall S&P Parties be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs or losses caused by negligence) in connection with any use of the Content even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2013, U.S. News & World Report today released its fifth annual Best Nursing Homes ratings, highlighting the top nursing homes in each state and nearly 100 major metropolitan areas. The ratings cover more than 15,000 nursing homes nationwide and are freely available at http://www.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes.

More than 3 million Americans will spend at least part of 2013 in a nursing home. Too often, they and their families will encounter great difficulty in choosing the right nursing home. Best Nursing Homes will simplify their work by helping them pick a home with a strong track record, whether they live in California, which has twice as many highly rated homes as any other state, or in a region where good nursing homes may be few and far between.

Visit homes at different times and on different days of the week to make sure residents are occupied throughout the day;

Look for signs that staff has a close relationship with residents, such as calling them by name and making sure they eat;

Ask to see inspection reports, then ask how any safety or health problems were resolved;

Review hidden costs, such as physical therapy or dentist appointments.

Best Nursing Homes also provides advice on spotting warning signs of bad care and how to pay for care. The articles and searchable database of ratings are exclusive to the website and aren’t expected to appear in print.

To create Best Nursing Homes, U.S. News drew on data from Nursing Home Compare, run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that sets and enforces standards for nursing homes. U.S. News awarded the “Best Nursing Home” designation to homes that recently earned an overall rating of five stars, the agency’s highest. Each home is also rated separately on quality of care, health-inspections record, and level of nurse staffing.

“Using trustworthy data, we’ve built a consumer-friendly tool to help seniors and their families confront one of life’s most difficult and anxious transitions,” says Avery Comarow , U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. “Best Nursing Homes makes it easier for consumers to identify nursing homes that can best meet their needs in terms of location, quality of care, staffing, and more. All seniors deserve the best nursing care available, and we’ve made sure the information they need is at their fingertips.”

About U.S. News & World ReportU.S. News & World Report is a multi-platform publisher of news and analysis, which includes the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine, www.usnews.com, and www.rankingsandreviews.com. Focusing on Health, Personal Finance, Education, Travel, Cars, and Public Service/Opinion, U.S. News has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. U.S. News & World Report’s signature franchise includes its News You Can Use® brand of journalism and its annual “Best” series of consumer web guides and publications, which include rankings of colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, mutual funds, health plans, and more.

According to the data, the risk of default among renters nationwide decreased year over year in the fourth quarter of 2012 with an index value of 103 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 with an index value of 101. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the risk of default increased in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2012 when the index value was 106. The increased risk from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2012 reflects a riskier applicant pool that is typical in seasonally slower periods of applicant traffic (See Figure 1).

Renter Trends

Lower-priced rentals see more significant decreases in rent amounts: Average rent amounts for Class A properties, defined as those with rents greater than $1100, increased 0.3 percent year over year. At the same time, rent amounts for Class B properties, defined as those between $750 and $1100, remained unchanged from one year ago, while rent amounts for Class C properties, defined as less than $750, decreased 0.9 percent year over year.

Dual applicants increase: In the fourth quarter of 2012, the number of transactions with two applicants increased across property class. On a year-over-year basis, dual-applicant transactions increased 3.9 percent for Class A properties, increased 2.8 percent for Class B properties and increased 0.3 percent for Class C properties.

Applicant income rises: Applicant income in the fourth quarter of 2012 increased an average of 1.7 percent among all property classes year over year and also increased over the previous quarter by .5 percent.

Regionally, the Northeast and West had the highest RAR index value in the fourth quarter of 2012, both at 110, reflecting decreased default risk (see Figure 2). The Midwest had the lowest RAR index value at 98, reflecting increased risk, with a five-point decline from the previous quarter when the value was 103. The increased risk in the Midwest is reflective of increased risk seen in two Midwest Core Based Statistical Areas* (CBSAs) (see Figure 3).

Figure 2: Regional Renter Applicant Risk Index Data

Region

Q4 2012

Q3 2012

Change from Q3 2012 to Q4 2012

Q4 2011

Change from Q4 2011 to Q4 2012

Midwest

98

103

-5

97

1

Northeast

110

113

-3

110

0

South

100

103

-3

97

3

West

110

111

-1

107

3

U.S.

103

106

-3

101

2

The three CBSAs with the largest year-over-year increases in applicant risk were Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Ill.-Ind.-Wis. (three-point value decline); Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, Ohio (two-point value decline); and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas (one-point value decline). The CBSAs with the largest year-over-year declines in applicant risk were Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colo.; New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa.; and San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, Calif., all with a four-point value increase (see Figure 3).

NOTE: CBSAs are selected from the Top 50 CBSAs based on population and applicant volume.

* The CBSAs referred to within the Renter Applicant Risk Index Report may differ from the CBSAs referenced in other CoreLogic data reports. CBSAs are defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and CoreLogic may provide data either for the overall CBSA or a Metropolitan Division of a CBSA, depending upon the report. The particular CBSA used is identified in the report.

Methodology

The SafeRent Renter Applicant Risk (RAR) Index Report is published quarterly by CoreLogic. The RAR Index is calculated exclusively from applicant-traffic credit quality scores from the CoreLogic SafeRent statistical lease screening model, Registry ScorePLUS® and is based on an analysis of 39,000 properties representing nearly 6 million apartment homes and single-family rentals. The index provides a benchmark trend of national and regional traffic credit quality scores. The index value indicates the relative risk of an applicant pool fulfilling lease obligations. A risk index value of 100 indicates that market conditions are equal to the national mean for the Index’s base period of 2004. A risk index value greater than 100 indicates market conditions with reduced average risk of default relative to the index’s base period mean. A value less than 100 indicates market conditions with increased average risk of default relative to the index’s base period mean. Registry ScorePLUS is the multifamily industry’s only screening model that is both empirically derived and statistically validated. The statistical screening model was developed from historical resident lease performance data to specifically evaluate the potential risk of a resident’s future lease performance. The model generates scores for each applicant indicating the relative risk of the applicant not fulfilling lease obligations.

To receive local or regional renter applicant risk index data or if you have questions, contact CoreLogic SafeRent at smallon@corelogic.com.

About CoreLogic

CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX) is a leading property information, analytics and services provider in the United States and Australia. The company’s combined data from public, contributory, and proprietary sources includes over 3.3 billion records spanning more than 40 years, providing detailed coverage of property, mortgages and other encumbrances, consumer credit, tenancy, location, hazard risk and related performance information. The markets CoreLogic serves include real estate and mortgage finance, insurance, capital markets, transportation and government. CoreLogic delivers value to clients through unique data, analytics, workflow technology, advisory and managed services. Clients rely on CoreLogic to help identify and manage growth opportunities, improve performance and mitigate risk. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., CoreLogic operates in seven countries. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com.

CORELOGIC, the CoreLogic logo, SAFERENT and REGISTRY SCOREPLUS are trademarks of CoreLogic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.